4 Ways To Design A Family Friendly Kitchen

Raising a family isn’t easy, but, if designed well, your kitchen can help! See some great tips below that aim to bring family organization into everyone’s favorite room!

Two Rooms in One

Blending together the kitchen and family room into one great space creates an open area for everyone to gather. Whether mom and dad are cooking, kids are doing homework or little ones are enjoying playtime or a favorite cartoon…the space becomes multifunctional for everyone to use 24/7.

Get Organized

The recipe to any successful home may just be to minimize the clutter. By organizing your home for each family member, you’ll make things easily accessible. And that in turn helps things run smoothly throughout the day! Consider storing the kids’ things in bottom shelves and drawers for easy reach. You could even have cabinetry made to fit the children’s height with built-in inserts that can serve a different purpose when the children grow. Also, having a dedicated home station for the adults makes a great location for storing paperwork, bills, and the family computer.

Introduce Color

Design a bright, interesting space the entire family will enjoy. Color adds personality outside the all white kitchen. Why not incorporate a funky, vivid colored countertop or eye catching tiled backsplash behind the stove?

Appreciate the Memories

If you’re the sentimental type who enjoys holding onto memories, select items for the home that will inevitably show wear and tear. By selecting porous materials, such as Carrara marble or a maple butcher block, you introduce items that will add an old fashioned, settled appeal over time. These items are meant to embrace imperfections and showcase your family’s history of stains and rings!

(Photos courtesy in order: Houzz & Patrick Sutton Associates, Fresh Home, Dornob and The Grothouse Lumber Company)

Earth Day…How Will You Help?

Today is Earth Day and we are reminded that each of us has the power to reduce our impact on the environment. We encourage you to participate and make others aware of the environmental issues seen throughout the world. Make a difference by taking part in these simple actions throughout the home:

• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth
• Wash your clothes in cold water and use the short cycle
• Turn down your water heater
• Recycle and reuse plastic grocery bags…better yet, bring your own cloth bag to the market!
• Convert your household light bulbs to LED
• Purchase a filter for the kitchen faucet and cut back on water bottle usage
• Use your laptop over your desktop computer
• Take shorter showers
• Turn the lights off when you leave a room

Let your friends and family know that the small changes they do will have a huge impact on this wonderful planet we all call home.

-Laura

How To Decorate With Textures

Texture is everything and can play a vital role in how you layer the look and feel of a space in your home. Just remember that moderation is key. Knowing where to start is important, but so is knowing when to stop.

Decide a Look

Hewn wooden ceiling beams are accented by a weathered-wood farm table.

Do you want a cozy look and feel? Then select woods, plush fabrics, woven surfaces and natural fabrics for the floors and surfaces to add texture to a room. However if a streamlined look is what you want, then introduce lacquer, plastics, metals and glass. Just remember that balance is key. The best rooms have a perfect mix of both.

Introduce Nature

Thick, twisty tree branch and vase filled with freshly cut winding twigs.

Nature can play an interesting role in the home. It’s the perfect place to draw inspiration. Try using shells, stones, horns, feathers, and the unexpected, like cotton blossoms and birch branches, as decorative objects.

Make it an Accent

Leather Ceiling Tiles

Replace your accent colors with textures and surfaces. Texture can be used in place of color in a monochromatic scheme. And don’t forget the walls. Whether you include high-gloss paints, shell, leather wall tiles or Venetian plaster… walls are a great surface to play up texture.

Adjust the Lights

Relaxing Den

Your lighting scheme is just as crucial as the textural surfaces you add. Be aware of the materials and objects that reflect light or create visually interesting shadows.

8 Kitchen Renovation Splurges

The kitchen is the centerpiece of a home, so why not give it the love and attention it needs and deserves? For your next renovation, show your kitchen some love with these designer favorites.

Natural Light

Add a feel of cheerful richness into your kitchen with sunlight. Your space will be brighter than ever before. By working through design elements, you can incorporate new windows, skylights or French doors into the kitchen area.

Butler’s Pantry

Fuse old-world elegance and new-world practicality by creating a butler’s pantry. This small area between your kitchen and dining room is great for prepping tableware and food courses.

Custom Cabinetry

Forget store bought and have the kitchen fitted with cabinetry. No kitchen is the exactly the same, so the space will be customized based on your needs. Your room will not only be designed to handle daily functions, but will also look stunning through the years!

Marble

For an elegant and subtle look, marble is a beautiful addition in the kitchen. The material can be used in various areas, including backsplashes and countertops.

Lounge Life

When you design the kitchen to also act as a great room, you have a space that’s truly welcoming. Create an inviting space by incorporating a fireplace, multimedia entertainment system and/or cozy seating area.

Multiple Work Stations

Work where you want by creating multiple work stations throughout the kitchen to extend its versatility and flow. Each area would be fitted with separate sinks, counters and storage.

Walk-in Pantry

Outfitted to house nonperishable food, extra serving pieces, and miscellaneous odds and ends, having a large walk-in pantry is the perfect home luxury.

One of a Kind

Every kitchen should have a distinctive element. Whether it’s a handcrafted stone countertop, Portuguese-tile backsplash or an antique hanging light fixture, incorporate at least one captivating object in your kitchen.

3 Colors for 2013

The year is fresh and new, so you are probably considering ideas on how to update your home. In addition to renovating your kitchen or bathroom, color is a simple way to revive a space and add personality. Explore these three colors designers are excited about in 2013.

Olive

Relaxing yet bold enough to make a statement, olive is the perfect shade of green that can be used in any room. The color pairs well with cream and brown tones. We personally enjoy this color for the living room accented with brown leather furniture.

Rose

Create a welcoming escape in any nook with this pink hue. The color is perfect for the foyer or even in a dining area. Rose goes well with a variety of colors creating a lush and rich feel. Incorporate the color in spaces where guests will gather due to its inviting nature.

Charcoal

The grey family may have some of our favorite tones. When you use colors like charcoal in the home, you can juxtapose your most eclectic pieces in style and color. Accent colors can be a breath of fresh air in rooms of neutral colors, so get creative. Bring in pieces that will pop, such as a red sofa, bright tufted benches or funky art.

Design Durability and Bathroom Beauty

The balance between durability and efficiency with comfort and beauty is the ultimate goal of bathroom design. Homeowners are looking for a reliable space to withstand time and use, which is, at the same time, the safe haven they need to escape everyday life. In years past the options were minimal, however, today there are tons of choices when designing the ultimate multi-functional bathroom.

Bathroom designers and suppliers are producing more diverse products. The industry is constantly improving and refining the manufacturing processes and materials without forgoing style. Every fixture has endured some change for the modern bathroom. Wooden bathroom furniture can now withstand the steam-filled rigors of daily life. By pre-treating the furniture with a moisture resistant coating, you enhance the performance and durability of the product. Manufacturers have been using higher quality materials, such as acrylic and resin, for tubs and showers that retain heat. These products are also easier to clean and are stain/scratch resistant. Lastly, improved technology provides better control of water temperature flow rate for faucets and shower heads.

With 60% of water usage taking place in the bathroom, it’s important for manufacturers to discover ways to reduce the home’s impact on the environment, and also your utility bill. To reduce water consumption, dual flush toilets and ceramic disc technology hare two great developments. Also cabinet manufacturers, including Wood-Mode, have become industry leaders in developing greener products and processes for the home.

The modern bathroom isn’t financially out of reach as you may think. You can certainly find the special products you desire to design a space without forgoing reliability and durability.

Color of 2013: Emerald

 

As most of you may recall, Pantone chooses a color that will represent each year. Last year Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, provided the energy boost we needed to recharge and move forward. In 2013, enhance your sense of well-being by inspiring insight as well as promoting balance and harmony. Emerald, a vivid verdant green, is the official color for the new year.

Often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. This magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. Also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity, no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.

Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful tone translates easily within home interiors. Add this vibrant hue throughout your home as a soothing pop of color. Pillows, wallpaper prints, dishes in the kitchen and decorative boxes are just a few design ideas for the home. The color also pairs well with browns, darker greys, neutrals and jewel tones, including cobalt blue and magenta.

When A Kitchen Is No Longer A Kitchen

With a new year already underway, I’m excited to announce that our Chief Cabinet Officer Evan Levey will be guest writing for our blog. Evan is a phenomenal guy whose knowledge about design and functionality in the kitchen, especially cabinetry, makes him a real go-to resource here at CCW. I hope you enjoy his first article today. You can expect his articles to appear quarterly, so be on the lookout for them. I know I will be!

Laura

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. As things became mercifully still over the final weeks of the year, I began reflecting on what the number one trend in kitchen design is today. My conclusion agrees with many experts who are writing on the topic in publications ranging from Architectural Digest to the Wall Street Journal. The number one trend is the kitchen is no longer just the kitchen and is taking up more square footage in the home than ever before.

The kitchen today plays a host of functions from a place to prepare meals to an entertaining space, from a spot to work on homework to an extension of the living room. Our clients have been working with our designers on ways to integrate their lifestyle into the room that they love. In a recent project, a client wanted an island where he could be cooking and guests could be enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres. The trick was to maintain a clear distinction between the cook and the guest sides of the island while at the same time making everyone feel they are together. As the kitchen becomes more and more a “living” space, paneling appliances, seating areas and entertainment nooks are becoming even more popular.

The size of the kitchen continues to grow and is taking up more square footage of the first floor than ever before. Additionally, our designers are coming up with more and more creative ways to design an open floor plan, where the kitchen appears to melt into surrounding rooms but maintains its unique identity.

Finally, although the kitchen is playing a host of roles, its primary function is still connected to food and the kitchens we design need to be ready for all different types of chefs. Whether someone enjoys preparing gourmet meals for friends, simple comfort food family dinners or warming up Chinese take-out, the kitchen needs to be properly designed and equipped.

Please be in touch with any projects you are considering. We would love to make a difference in your home.

All the best for a happy and healthy New Year,

Evan
Columbia CabinetWorks

5 Bathroom Trends for 2013

Last year, the bathroom was one of the most frequently renovated rooms for homeowners. As 2013 begins, it’s time to take a look at how the bathroom is making changes in the new year.

Spa Like Experiences

The bathroom is no longer a space only meant for washing up. It’s becoming more like a spa where one can relax and unwind. Soaking tubs offer the homeowner a beautiful style tub that is deeper than standard models. These tubs are designed to be the focal point of your bathroom while providing an “up to your neck” water experience. As for showers, they’re becoming more and more over-the-top. Pamper yourself with 10”, 12”, even 18” rain heads combined with 4 to 8 body sprays, or even throw in a steam unit to help ease and soothe tired muscles after a long day or workout.

Tile Is King

Whether used on the floors, backsplashes or in shower enclosures, eye-catching tiles are a must in today’s bathroom design. Tile manufacturers are pushing the limits in design and technology to create tile that is art. Large format tiles have been a huge hit recently. People love tiles made from wood to stone to concrete. Tiles with large graphic prints are also popular and are often used to create a stunning look for a bathroom wall. For luxury bathrooms, porcelain continues to be the go-to choice.

Space-Saving Cabinetry and Vanities

As designers work to create the perfect bathroom for homeowners, they’re cleverly designing cabinetry that has additional storage space. These vanities are a super efficient use of space, often eliminating the need to increase the footprint of the room. Floating vanities and cabinetry are by far the most popular choices in modern bathroom design. Their sleek and elegant look can help make a room feel larger and allow for under cabinet lighting.

Bathroom Art

Most people wouldn’t consider placing art in the bathroom because of its hot, wet and steamy conditions. Today, people are looking for ways to add a bit of excitement and individuality. This can be achieved by including beautifully printed tiles or glass screens that are waterproof and withstand harsh bathroom conditions.

Colors That Pop

Last year whites, beiges, browns and greys were popular with homeowners. For 2013, we see a continued emphasis of these colors as neutral tones and patterns, but with a twist. This year, you’ll want to mix in pops of bright, vibrant colors. We’re loving green, blue, orange and pink. Just remember not to overdue it. These colors should be used to accent and accentuate.

CCW’s Holiday Wish List: Bedroom

As we wrap up the week of sharing our wish lists for the home, I hope you and your family have a very happy holiday. May you enjoy these moments and continue building memories in your home! We hope you enjoy our favorite items for the bedroom.

Restoration Hardware Tufted Bench

Sometimes you need to add another level of luxury into a space. The tufted bench from Restoration Hardware is the perfect answer. Designed as comfortable seating or footrest, the bench has a button-tufted top. There’s a wonderful selection of customizable colors and fabrics. We love this bench placed at the foot of the bed.

Yankee Candle Midsummers Night

With its intoxicating and masculine blend of musk, patchouli, sage and mahogany cologne, relax in your bedroom with this unique scent. We think you’ll love it so much, that you should go ahead and pick up the large Housewarmer Jar Candle which provides 110 to 150 hours of true fragrance enjoyment.

Swiss Dot Duvet Cover in Charcoal

This woven slate-on-slate pattern is simply a unique material to cover the top of your bed. The Swiss Dot Duvet Cover bring subtle texture to the bed in lightweight cotton voile. When the weather turns cool, layer chunky knits or bold stripes on top of the delicate dots. You can find this duvet at West Elm.

Built In Storage

Storage is a common problem for most homeowners, but with effective and clever built-ins, organization is a no-brainer. Because built-ins are custom-made for each space, they maximize every square inch of your home. Turn your empty, unused space into drawers, shelves, or even entertainment centers. Essentially, built-in storage units can add hundreds of square feet to your home without the need for renovations. We recommend a wall unit style option with a built in headboard!